Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Friday, December 23, and Saturday, December 24. All times are Eastern.

Advertisement

TOP PICKChuck (NBC, 8 p.m., Friday): NBC apparently just realized it’s still got a bunch of Chuck episodes to burn off before it can pretend the show never existed, so it’s airing new ones tonight and next Friday, when pretty much nobody will be watching TV. At least tonight’s episode is Christmas-themed, so it will make a vague sort of sense to have it on in the background while you’re attempting to beat your 6-year-old niece at Boggle. Ryan McGee’s game has always been Stratego.

TV CLUB CLASSICVeronica Mars (11 a.m., Friday): TV Club Classic will be away over the holidays, which means it’s up to Rowan Kaiser to lock the doors and turn out the lights before we resume articles on Mon., Jan. 2. He’ll probably forget and let you yahoos in.

Advertisement

TV CLUB ADVENT CALENDAREmmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas (Thursday): Noel Murray takes us on a visit to the handmade world of Jim Henson’s tale of not having enough money at Christmastime but still finding ways to make merry. With otters! And frogs!

WHAT ELSE IS ON?The Search For Santa Paws (Disney, 8 p.m., Friday): Santa Claus gets amnesia, and some cute animals and orphans have to help him get his memory back. Look, it’s Dec. 23. If you wanna watch this bullshit, we’re not going to judge you. Just this once.

Advertisement

Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! (BBC America, 8 p.m., Friday): Erik Adams checks out this new TV version of the NPR staple and finds it mostly enjoyable. Look for his review later on this afternoon, and list your favorite episodes in comments.

The Life And Times Of Tim (HBO, 9 p.m., Friday): Since so few shows are new tonight, we thought we’d re-remind you of the fact that HBO is burning off the third season of this show with no lead-in and no real promotion on Friday nights. Yikes.

Advertisement

The Top 10 Weddings Of 2011 (TLC, 10 p.m., Friday): The wedding of our cats better top this. We dressed them up in a tuxedo and a bridal gown, and we played all the right music, and we made them SAY THEY LOVED EACH OTHER. It was great.

The Nerdist: Year In Review (BBC America, 9 p.m., Saturday): We don’t know why BBC America is pulling out all of these TV adaptations of things you normally listen to this weekend, but if you’re so inclined, here’s a TV version of a podcast.

Advertisement

Lockup: Wabash—Extended Stay (MSNBC, 10 p.m., Saturday): We’re pretty sure that—outside of the stuff on BBC America—this is the only new program this evening. If you’re not in a Christmas and/or podcast mood, this is it. Enjoy it!

The Grapes Of Wrath (FMC, 8:19 p.m., Friday): And any time there’s only some MSNBC show about going to prison on Christmas Eve night, we’ll be there. You just look around for us. We’ll be there. (Haven’t seen this one? Watch it!)

Advertisement

Lady In The Lake (TCM, 10 p.m., Friday): Looking for some really great, hard-boiled detective stuff to watch tonight? This Raymond Chandler adaptation is your best bet, and it’s worth watching for the innovative camera work alone.

A Christmas Story (TBS, all day, Saturday): This isn’t our favorite Christmas movie ever made, but damned if we don’t enjoy having it on every year at Christmas Eve, when it’s nice to just drop in for a while, then check right back out again.

Advertisement

The Sound Of Music (ABC, 7 p.m., Saturday): You might remember the famous song from this movie. It’s the one to the tune of the “Hallelujah Chorus”? You know… “SOUND of MUSIC. SOUND of MUSIC.” And you wave around a sword while you sing.

It’s A Wonderful Life (NBC, 8 p.m., Saturday): Perhaps you’re sensing a certain theme to the movies on this evening. If you’re going to pick but one Christmas classic to watch, we’d say this one, but hey, to each his own, right?

Advertisement

Miracle On 34th Street (TCM, 8 p.m., Saturday): The 1990s version—which is basically fine but not a patch on this one—is also airing somewhere this evening, but accept no substitutes. As our mother always says, “Edmund Gwenn or GTFO!”

College Basketball: Baylor at West Virginia (ESPN, 9 p.m., Friday): The programming guide helpfully tells us that this is the first time these two teams have ever met on the basketball court, so, y’know, you’ve probably been waiting for that.

Advertisement

Hawaii Bowl: Nevada vs. Southern Mississippi (ESPN, 8 p.m., Saturday): Southern Mississippi, which is 11-2, has to face off against Nevada, which is 7-5, in more bowl-related shenanigans. You’re better off with Lockup: Wabash, honestly.

IN CASE YOU MISSED ITThe League (Thursday): So ends another season of The League, and Margaret Eby would like you to check in so we can all see what we learned this year. Oh, and also so you can learn who won the Sacko Bowl and all that good stuff.